Re: copyright infringement on a commonly used phrase

On Fri, Jun 16, 2000, Karen E. Carballa <karencarballa[_at_]vbmc.org> wrote:
>
> We are in the process of developing a credo for our hospital and would
> like to use "May I Help You", however, we want to make certain that
> this phrase is not copyright protected. Can anyone own this phrase?

You are asking a trademark question, not a copyright question. You should engage a trademark attorney, or a trademark search service, or use existing online resources, to determine whether the phrase is already in use as someone else's trademark for health-related services, or is registered or pending registration in any state or in the US Trademark Office in connection with such services. Trademark counsel would also be able to give you an idea of the risk that your proposed trademark might be refused registration on the grounds that it is merely descriptive.

In any case, short phrases such as this are not subject to copyright protection.

Robert C. Cumbow
 Graham & Dunn PC
 1420 Fifth Avenue, 33rd Floor
 Seattle, WA 98101-2390
 206.340.9619
 206.340.9599 fax
 rcumbow[_at_]grahamdunn.com
 http://www.grahamdunn.com/  

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